Look at the juki machines they all have larger throats than bernina's. There is a beautiful machine which sings whistles but fails to make a drink.

I have an old Janome(New Home) memory craft 4000 which is 20 years old and I have the darning foot it came with the machine, but I can still buy replacement feet from dealer. If you want a new machine and to keep your old one as a back up and you are used ot Janome, why don't you look a the new memory craft 8900, it has an 11" harp . I have also FMQ on a cheap toyota with a fairly small harp, just a bit fiddly, try out different machines and see which one 'fits' you best.

you already have a Janome that works for you so go check out the new Janome's You can't go wrong.

I have the Bernina with BSR also. I love it! Even beginners don't have to worry about their stitches with the BSR. It is an investment, but so worth it. All metal parts and bobbins. Best money I ever spent!!

Check out the Janome 7700. Big harp area. Great for machine quilting. Under $2,000.00 in my area. I have 2 janomes and love them both.

Don't tell your husband but there are generic free motion foot attachments !!

I bought the Janome 8900 this summer. It is a great machine, and has the 11 inch harp space. It is heavy, sews a beautiful stitch, has many extra feet, and has a wonderful selection of stitches. It is very easy to use. This was my first Janome. I have a Bernina, a Brother 1500, a Singer Featherweight, a White, and a BabyLock serger. I love them all. I always go to the Brother for piecing. It just sews the straight stitch, but it does a great one, and has scissors built in. I love quilting on the new Janome. It has everything to do the best quilting. I seem to only use my Bernina for embroidery. Try out as many different machines as you can. You will find one you love.

What a loaded question. You will get more answers than you probably will be able to comprehend. Pages of replies more likely.

I am a dedicated Pfaff used due to arthritis in my hands. I bonded with the machine. Have had other brands and they all were very good. Just that the IDT [dual feed] is best for me.

There are sew many nice machines out there it is hard to say! Try and check out all the features you can. Congrats!!!!

LOL, thank you so much for ideas for things to look for, honestly just had no idea where to even start. I do have a free motion quilting foot, just have no idea where I got it. It attaches like a regular foot, but flops around a lot so catches and breaks needles...